January 2024

With seven games into the season of the Nigeria National League, Matchday 7 produced some great results, including away wins for Wikki Tourist and Edel FC.

Madiba FC continued with their great form, defeating Smart City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, thereby recording 6 victories in their last seven encounters and are top of conference A.

Hassan Wabeeb, Farooq Ogundare, Promise Meligha all scored to give Beyond Limits a deserved victory over Dakkada FC, Abia Comets came back stronger in the new year with a lone goal victory over visiting 1427 FC of lagos.

In Enugu, Coal City and Stormers played a goalless draw, while Edel FC defeated Ike ThankGod’s Vandrezzer FC in Uyo.

Paul parted the Red Sea 🌊 Give him the Puskas for 2024 already

You won’t see a better goal than this.

📞 Hello FIFA, Paul Aderibigbe did it#PaulToTheWorld#OgaBoys | #WeAreIkoroduCityFC pic.twitter.com/iQ6zM7Jf2k

— IkoroduCityFC (@IkoroduCityFC) January 7, 2024

In Conference B’ Habib Musa and Paul Aderibigbe both scored to give Ikorodu City an important win over Warri Wolves at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

Crown FC defeated Osun United at the Soun Stadium, Ogbomosho, Inter Lagos recorded consecutive victory in the league, with a one goal win over Gateway United FC.

Close away defeat #nnl24 pic.twitter.com/bjatZyfg92

— Gateway United FC (@GatewayUnitedFC) January 6, 2024

A much improved display from FC One Rocket deservedly got them a 2-0 victory over TradeSafe FC.

⌚FT

FC ONE Rocket 2-0 Tradesafe FC

⚽Charles Ikenna
⚽Columba Augustine

📌The Indomitables begin 2024 with a comfortable victory and a clean sheet to wrap up a dominant display.#ROCTRA #NNL24 pic.twitter.com/fBeQtzr00K

— FC ONE Rocket (@FCONE_Rocket) January 6, 2024

In Group C, Yobe Desert Warriors travelled to the Ilorin Township Stadium, to take on ABS, and both teams struggled to assert authority in front of goal, as the game ended goalless, same as the game between EFCC FC and Mighty Jets in Abuja.

FULL-TIME

ABS 0-0 Yobe Desert Stars#WeAreABS #ABSYOB #NNL24

— ABS Ilorin FC (@ABSIlorinFC) January 6, 2024

Wikki Tourist picked maximum in Abuja against NAF FC, Zamfara United handed El-Kanemi Warriors a 1-0 defeat in Gusau.

Sporting Supreme dropped two points at home, after playing a goalless draw against Adamawa United, but still retain top spot in Group D, while Jigawa Golden Stars defeated City FC at home, Mailantarki Care FC and Kebbi United played out a 1-1 draw.

A new positive wave of organised football atmosphere in the country was commended by the Chairman of the Nigeria National League George Aluo as Inter Lagos hosted Gateway United in a Matchday 7 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.The playing atmosphere exudes an air of conviviality as fans watched the intense encounter between the rivals without rancour and aggression.”This is very marvellous. What I’m seeing here is what a match situation should be. I can see fans here showing strong interest in the game but in a very relaxed manner. I think this is what it our clubs must do in re-educating their supporters that football is not a do-or-die affair.”He continued, ” our football should be seen as a form of entertainment for families, investors and fun-seekers. The environment must be welcoming and warm to everyone who spends time to watch a match in the most important league.”

“For teams in our league who are already imbibing this trend like what we see abroad, I say kudos to them and to those who are not doing this yet, I will implore them take this innovations and apply during their home games.”

In the enticing encounter, Gateway United of neighbouring Ogun state put up a strong opposition before the home side.But Tony Obia’s 20th minute strike in the first-half was enough for “The Pride of Lagos” to grab all three maximum points on offer on a sunny afternoon at the oldest stadium in Nigeria.

Madiba FC managed to take all three points to continue their good run of form as the Nigeria National League (NNL) resumes after the Yuletide break.

Smart City were playing at home, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, same home ground of Madiba FC, but failed to get a point, despite going ahead in the 7th minute, through a fantastic goal from Chukwudi Ekeocha.

FT

Another 3 points in a bag#MADSMA#NNL24 pic.twitter.com/DkGC96qiNL

— Official Madiba FC (@fc_madiba) January 5, 2024

At the stroke of halftime, Fasina Samson of Madiba FC answered the call, scoring an equalizer at the 45th minute.

As the second half commenced, Adaralegbe Temitope of Madiba FC seized an opportunity with a stunning goal from a free kick at the 61st minute. However, Chukwudi Ekeocha of Smart City FC swiftly responded with his second of the game , leveling the score again at 76th minutes.

In a strategic move, Solomon Bala, the head coach of Madiba FC, made key substitutions, introducing Aliu Solomon, Fadeyi Sunday, Isah Mohammed, and Anthony Ndubuisi to fortify the team’s front line.

The gamble paid off as Anthony Ndubuisi secured the victory for Madiba FC with a decisive header at the 90th minute, solidifying a 3-2 triumph.